The National Digital Program of the Government of Israel

Develop the Digital Competencies of Human Capital in Government

However, the current digital literacy level in the public sector is relatively low compared to the economy in general (and particularly in comparison to the advanced high-tech industry), and a quantum leap in the level of digital literacy in this sector is genuinely needed. Thus for example, there is no organized training program for developing digital competencies, and no definition or thorough tracking of the digital literacy level of government employees. Since satisfactory digital literacy level of government employees is an enabling factor for the integration of future digitization processes in the public sector, it is necessary to invest in the government’s human capital to ensure it has the competencies necessary for working in a digital environment. Thus, all employees in the public sector must be trained to a sufficient digital literacy level, for example using a computer, email, and communicating with citizens, as well as more advanced capabilities such as building a presentation and analyzing data in a computerized environment.

Following the numerous changes created by the digital revolution, among them digital interfaces and converting content to digital format, a need has arisen for new positions and capabilities that must be integrated into government work – for example digital product managers, data analysts, data scientists, social media experts, digital content experts and product specification professionals. This reflects a growing focus on managing areas such as user experience and data analysis. Thus, as part of the National Initiative and in cooperation with the Government ICT Authority, steps will be taken to recruit and train workers from these fields from the public sector in general and from government ministries in particular.

Furthermore, the Government ICT Authority in cooperation with the National College in the Civil Service Commission, is advancing a training program for managers of government IT Divisions. The program aims to shape the role perception of computing unit managers in order to advance these units to the digital age. The program will focus on providing tools and developing approaches in the areas of computing and senior management.

Another direction involving human capital in government pertains to senior level employees in the public sector. As those responsible for implementing policy, leading processes and setting norms in government agencies, the attention level of these employees to digital, and their motivation to drive digital transformation in government agencies, has a vital effect on realizing the goals of the National Initiative. Therefore, as part of the Initiative, digital leaders will be trained in all government ministries, in
Training Digital Leaders in Local Government (in cooperation with the Interior Ministry)
The aim of the program is to create a network of outstanding change leaders from local government that seek to create change in the areas under their responsibility by means of digital innovation. As part of the project, teams of digital leaders from various local governments will receive tools and acquire skills to help them advance innovation in their local government. A network for cooperation between the digital leaders will be established between local governments and sectors. effect placing senior change agents in every ministry who will advance digital change processes and lead the implementation of the National Initiative in their responsibility areas.

Training Digital Leaders in Local Government
(in cooperation with the Interior Ministry)

The aim of the program is to create a network of outstanding change leaders from local government that seek to create change in the areas under their responsibility by means of digital innovation. As part of the project, teams of digital leaders from various local governments will receive tools and acquire skills to help them advance innovation in their local government. A network for cooperation between the digital leaders will be established between local governments and sectors.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Government

Encouraging intra-government entrepreneurship is a multi-faceted endeavor. Thus for example, many internal processes can be accelerated and complex technological problems in government work can be solved with the assistance of entrepreneurs and technology companies, and by harnessing the innovation, creativity, capabilities and the knowledge found in the private sector (“challenge tenders”). Another way to promote entrepreneurship in the public sector is to encourage employees. The employees naturally have in-depth acquaintance with intra-organizational processes in their ministry that can be used to drive change from the bottom up. Therefore, action should be taken to encourage employees in the public sector to activate such processes – which will also be possible thanks to increased digital literacy, and digital and technology competencies among the employees. Finally, to foster implementation of innovative solutions in the public sector, it can serve as a beta site for initial initiatives and ideas (pilots), regardless of whether they were initiated by sector employees or by other sectors, and in doing so becoming trailblazers and leaders, and even doing so efficiently in budget terms.

Fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in government will be carried out by creating a supporting regulatory and logistical infrastructure for adopting ideas and initiatives at their early stages. The National Initiative will also encourage inclusion of the private and third sectors in finding advanced technological solutions for public sector problems. Thus it will be possible to develop creative and advanced goods, processes and solutions that will be incorporated into government work and into the public sector at large.

 

Innovation Development Services

In the aim of increasing digitization in government work and exposing government offices to leading business and third sector entities in the digital innovation field, government ministries will be encouraged to engage with innovation centers. These centers will help them collaborate with private companies and start-ups to map and analyze the problems facing the government office and to formulate technology-based solutions. The centers will operate similar to accelerators and hubs common in the high-tech industry. sector problems. Thus it will be possible to develop creative and advanced goods, processes and solutions that will be incorporated into government work and into the public sector at large.